I did this with both previous pregnancies starting at 36 weeks. I will do so again. Just like Nym said. The little gelatin capsuals look just live Vit. E caps and just disolve inside. They don't leak out but doing it at bedtime insures that the EPO will stay up by your cervix and do its best work.

I was nearly 90% effaced and completely softened both times before I started to dialate and I think the EPO did help with that.

Mama Fae~ You said it doesn't leak out? It's weird b/c usually it doesn't leak out when I use it, but last night I kept waking up feeling very wet down there (sorry if TMI ) and I thought it was just the EPO. But it was when I was lying down, so not sure how it would have leaked that much, they are small capsules (I woke up 5 or 6 times!) Any ideas?

I started taking 2 - 500mg EPO at 31 weeks - orally once a day. At 36 weeks, I was told to take 3 - 500mg orally twice a day. At 38 weeks, I was told to continue the oral dosage and use 3 - 500mg vaginally at bedtime. I do not find it messy at all.

I know that this ripens the cervix and what not. Has anyone used it later in pregnancy (closer to due date) and had results quick? Also, by having your cervix ripen galore does it tend to signal contractions to start? TIA

Give more**Expect LessThere is no such thing as bad weather. Only bad clothing.

Using it later in pregnancy is preferable to earlier, certainly. "Quick" is sort of relative in this case. It would not hurt to try it. It will not start labor. A ripening cervix does not a contraction make. That said, cervical stimulation (say digital stimulation with insertion of EPO, for instance) can, I believe, cause a release of oxytocin, thus starting contrx. This is not an automatic thing though. Basically - go ahead, it couldn't hurt, but it is not an induction method.

It leaks for me every time. They say if you go pee for the night THEN insert it, it should be fine, but I'm 40+wks pregnant and having to get up to pee every 1- 1 1/2hrs these days! LOL Even when I was earlier on (37wks) I was getting up often enough after that it leaked out and gave me a couple of "Oh gah! Did my water break?!" worries when I looked at my panties. Thankfully the consistancy (EPO) is quite a bit different and oily feeling/looking than amniotic fluid. LOL

With that said, I also cannot find my cervix so I do a "point, shove and hope for the best" method with my EPO caplets. :LOL

Wife to 1~Mom to 5 ages brand new to 12~Rural Mail Carrier~Keeper of 2 dogs, 1 cat & a flock of chickens :

cervical stimulation (say digital stimulation with insertion of EPO, for instance) can, I believe, cause a release of oxytocin, thus starting contrx. This is not an automatic thing though.

Anna, can you expand upon what you mean by "digital stimulation"...Im just in the dark about this albeit I will probably google it by the time you respond. I've never heard of this and if I have, perhaps my brain has just gone to mush because I can't place this form of stimulation. Thanks

I am 39 weeks 3 days. would it be worth while to try using primrose oil this late to ripen my cervix? my doctor wants to induce at 41 weeks but i would much rather try what natural ways i can to try to progress on my own. any other suggestions on what to do to ripen my cervix and get some progression going? thanks

I jusy saw this topic and thought I would comment! The day I went into labor I had vaginally inserted 2 capsules of primrose oil before bed time. I was 10 days past my due date so my midwife recommended I take them, looks like it worked.